different between sexually vs nymphet

English

Etymology

sexual +? -ly

Adverb

sexually (comparative more sexually, superlative most sexually)

1. In a sexual manner: erotically.

   She kissed him sexually.

2. With respect to sex (either of the two divisions of organisms).

   The firm discriminated sexually in its hiring and retention practices.

3. With respect to sexual intercourse.

   He was sexually active by the age of fifteen.

4. By means of sexual intercourse.

   AIDS and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted diseases.

   A parrot is a sexually reproducing organism.

Derived terms

• sexually mature
• (by means of intercourse): sexually transmitted disease, STD

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• nymphette

Etymology

From nymph +? -et (“diminutive”), first attested 1612. The second sense was popularized by Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel Lolita.

Noun

nymphet (plural nymphets)

1. (obsolete) A small nymph. [17th-19th c.]
   • 1612 Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion I. xi. Argt. 171:

     Of the nymphets sporting there In Wyrrall, and in Delamere.

2. A sexually attractive girl or young woman. [from 20th c.]

Usage notes

More common than the alternative spelling nymphette, which uses the more standard feminine suffix -ette.

Synonyms

• jailbait, lolita, nymph

Translations

References

• The changing English language, Brian Foster, 1968, pp. 185–186 – on spelling nymphet versus nymphette